hiya -
I found the site where that was taken from: pearls of portugal.
I have asked them to confirm their stance on it, as I believe that it is still a requirement to register your non portuguese guests.
Given that I believe it is still a requirement, I am a little frustrated that airbnb do not provide a facility around this and that they are not familiar with the details for a specific country (e.g. a country manager for portugal in Airbnb) to make themselves aware of the requirements and somehow help the hosts... problem is that airbnb do not want to take ownership of the legalities, which is fair enough I suppose...but they did have a system in place where I had to prove I had my AL... so they are aware of some things around the local requirements.
as suggested above....withholding the check in details until they fill in the details I see as a bad idea....Typically the check in details are provided a day or two in advance of arrival, so if you cancel then, you may miss out on getting your property rented in the following few days...what is the property was booked for a week, or two?!
NOW as Airbnb do not provide the facility I cannot see a way that will allow me automatically cancel a booking in a way that does not impact my listing being blackmarked by airbnb for canceling on a customer.
However, this is the approach I have taken...
As part of the booking process, before a guest confirms, you have the ability to add text/conditions. I set this out: that we have to get their details by law, that they must fill in the details online ( I found another company to provide this service at another fee), and that if they do not fill in the details within a week of booking I will cancel the reservation.
I appreciate that if I cancel , I will have to contact airbnb to explain the reasons and reclaim any status I may have... but I am hoping that pointing to my conditions will mean that I am within my rights.
Here is the problem... since I have put that in, we have not had any bookings. I did have a booking in the calendar before I set it up and I asked them to fill in the details, but they have not as yet done it. so I can't say for sure it will work.
Considerations for Airbnb... if I have to pay 5 euro a month for a service to get the details and submit them to the SEF on my behalf costs me 5 euro a month... money that could be going to airbnb if they provided the service themselves?
